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dante2zoe

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Posts posted by dante2zoe

    Nsaids V Adequan

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Maggie is a 12.5 YO perma foster that we got in January. She has arthritis (especially in her hips) and two collapsed disks in her neck, as well as corns, anxiety and really bad cataracts reducing her vision to basically shadows. However, as cranky and stiff as she is, she is not ready to leave this earth and we want to do everything to keep her comfortable, but have to work within the constraints of her group.

     

    That being said, she is currently taking a slew of medications to manage everything - 300 mg gabapentin, 375 mg robaxin, 100 mg tramadol, and 25 mg trazadone twice per day. Since the trazadone seems to be helping with her anxiety, we are going to start her on Prozac but will keep her on trazadone until the initial loading period is done. She is a horrific pill taker and I have to shove them down her throat. That's a lot of pills. Our new vet (we just moved) isn't too familiar with Adequan. She recommends rimadyl. I have used Adequan on greys in the past and have had reasonable success.

     

    Would you start one over the other or in conjunction? Her bloodwork is still decent.

     

    All advice is welcome. We are just trying to keep our little old lady comfy - especially with colder weather coming on. Thanks!

     

    Cindy

    Adopting And Older Greyhound

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    The seniors may not have the years left, but they certainly make the best use of the years that they have. I am on my third senior adoption, meaning at least 11 years old before entering my home. It hurts to lose them, but what I gained far outweighed the loss. Thank you for considering an oldie, but goodie!

    Jogging

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted · Edited by dante2zoe

    Fancy and I jog. I have jogged with 3 other greys and she enjoys it the most, by far. We have gone up to 5 miles, but that is rare. We usually run 3-4 miles three times per week. She has been on injured reserve for the past month and we just got back this morning. She did 1.5 miles and then took a one mile walk with the other two. It is our time and I defer to her on where we go and how far. By that, I mean, that is she isn't into that day, we just walk and/or cut it short. She will be 8 (!) in August and we started when she was 4. We go slow - about a 13 minute mile, which is fine. Our current course is hilly and runs through very rural area and our small town, so she gets mostly asphalt, which is more forgiving than concrete. She likes watching for deer and other assorted wildlife. She stops when she wants to and I don't make any demands.

     

    We did start slow and the 5 miles began when she was suddenly an only hound and this was her way of dealing with the loss. We run very early (5:30 am) and take shorter runs if it is too hot or humid.

     

    Forgot to add that I use a harness for running since her speed can vary and I don't want to stress her neck. We also both wear reflective and lighted gear. She will be wearing blaze orange in the fall, too.

    Animal Behaviorist - Neylasmom - Help!

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I spoke at length with the vet and they examined Paris. She had an anal gland issue and still exhibits some lameness due to a front leg injury that caused her to retire last July. They really believe that her behavior is the result of environmental issues and can be corrected. I appreciate the thoughts and suggestions about her being returned but I would rather work with her instead of dumping her.

     

    They will give me some names and suggestions when I go back to pick up Fancy this afternoon.

     

    Oh, and the vet commented on how beautiful their teeth were! He had never seen such nice teeth on a greyhound that hadn't been accomplished by a dental, lol. Nice to give some pats instead of just punches. :)

    Animal Behaviorist - Neylasmom - Help!

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    So, twice since Saturday, Paris has attacked Fancy resulting in stitches and lots and lots of blood. This morning was the second time and, to me, was completely unprovoked. I had to pull Paris off Fancy and we are headed to the vet for more stitches shortly. Paris will also be getting a medical evaluation and then I need a behaviorist. She is now muzzled 24-7 until this gets resolved one way or another.

     

    We live outside Gettysburg. Suggestions as to who to contact?

     

    Thanks. I am completely freaked out by this, as is Fancy.

     

    Cindy

    Anxitane

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Jen, I tried to PM you, but your mailbox is full. How long does it take to see any effectiveness? Maggie is about 56 pounds and gets 100 mg twice a day. I am looking for something to take the edge off due to her many other issues. Started Monday. Haven't seen anything but am not sure if it is too soon, not high enough, or it just isn't going to work.

     

    Good luck with you move!

     

    Cindy

    How Do You Pill Your Grey?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I have a pill shooter for Maggie. She takes 10 pills total every.single.day and will not take them in food. I get tired of shoving my hand down her throat. The shooter is quick and easy! It also helps that her pills are tiny. She loves her chicken jerky and knows that she will get some after the onslaught, so she knows medicine time and goes to her bed to wait for me.

     

    Fancy is taking some right now and I just wrap them in a thawed satin ball. Easy peasy.

    My Grey Is Going Blind

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    One of our girls has very little vision. As others have said, low and no light is the hardest for her to navigate. We keep lights on at night in case she needs to use the dog door. We also have a light on outside which helps. She absolutely lives for her walks so she goes on them with the other two girls. When it is dark, we shine the flashlight a couple feet in front of her and she follows the beam. She does tend to stick close to my side, as well. You will also discover that his other senses will really take over. Her sense of smell and hearing are very acute. We knew Maggie's vision wasn't very good, but had no idea how bad it was - she has adapted that well!

     

    I am guessing that your adjustment will be more difficult than his.

     

    Scritches to your boy.

    Excessive Licking

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Paris is a licker. Not a gastro issue. She self-soothes with it by licking before bed - herself, the bed, Fancy, she isn't particular. She is also a HUGE people licker. She loves to lick and kiss you - over and over and over. Never had a greyhound with such an oral fixation before! She is perfectly healthy, too.

    Acupuncture/violet Update

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Good to know! Our 12 YO foster has two compressed disks in her neck. Fortunately, she isn't the type to be bouncing around. She has been on Previcox, Cerenia, tramadol, gabapentin and Robaxin with cold laser treatments twice a week. Three weeks later, she can now take walks with our girls for up to 1.25 miles - at a strolling pace.

     

    We haven't tried acupuncture even though I had good results with three other dogs. We have moved and our old vet who performed the treatments is no longer practicing.

     

    Glad to hear that Violet is recovering nicely. Tough road and so hard to watch.

    Collars For Your Greys?

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    I jog with one of my girls, using the 2 Hounds harness, and haven't had any chafing issues. I realize that some people prefer to have more control over the dogs head, but harnesses have worked well for me. One of my other girls has two collapsed disks in her neck (this was becoming an issue before she landed in our home) and cannot wear a collar. However, I still have a slew of collars just for fun!

    Aging Eyes...

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    We recently brought home a bounce, who turned 12 last week, and her vision is very bad. Her pupils don't restrict either. Apparently, she can see shapes and shadows. Her sense of hearing and smell are quite good, which indicates that she has been adapting. However, as Laura mentioned, she startles easily and gets rather snarky. If you met her, you wouldn't realize that she has a substantial vision loss. Needless to say, there won't be any changes in our house while she is with us. She also can still follow a bright light, so if we are walking and it is dark, she will track a flashlight beam - which we keep pointed down and in front of her.

    Back End Weakness

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Maggie will be 12 in 2 weeks and has rear weakness. We got her in January and promptly placed her on Robaxin, gabapentin and gentle exercise. Our walks routinely consist of an incline of some type - the joys in living on a hilly road. Anyway, getting strength in the hind quarters has helped tremendously, when coupled with the muscle relaxer and gaba. When she is really creaky and cranky, I give her Previcox, which also helps. She has come a long way in a short period of time. Also, if she is favoring limbs, check for corns. It has been my personal experience that an altered gait helps with the development of corns and treating those also really helps.

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